Tissue repair device with a bioabsorbable support member

Abstract

The present invention is a composite medical device having a non-bioabsorbable implantable tissue repair or reconstruction component and a resilient bioabsorbable support member component that aids in deployment and placement of the implantable component at a surgical site. Following deployment, the support member component is readily bioabsorbed and removed from the implantable component. The invention is particularly useful in laproscopic, endoluminal, and other surgical procedures.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A medical device consisting essentially of:
 a resilient bioabsorbable support member comprising a first portion and a second portion and further comprising a block copolymer of polyglycolic acid and trimethylene carbonate; and 
 an implantable non-bioabsorbable device attached to said resilient bioabsorbable support member wherein said resilient bioabsorbable support member causes the implantable non-bioabsorbable device to change from a compacted form to a substantially planar configuration and assists in placement of said non-bioabsorbable implantable device during implantation procedures without requisite for an extrinsically applied force and wherein said implantable non-bioabsorbable device comprises a porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material and wherein said first portion has a bioabsorption rate that is different from the second portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said implantable device further comprises an antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
       3. The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said resilient bioabsorbable support member causes the implantable non-bioabsorbable device to change from a compacted form to a substantially planar configuration without a thermal transition. 
     
     
       4. The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said implantable device has one or more markings adapted to aid visual orientation of said medical device with respect to an implantation site. 
     
     
       5. The medical device of  claim 4  wherein said markings are located in a border area of said implantable device. 
     
     
       6. The medical device of  claim 4  wherein said support member has one or more markings adapted to aid indirect imaging of said medical device with respect to an implantation site. 
     
     
       7. The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material comprises a first layer and a second layer. 
     
     
       8. The medical device of  claim 7  wherein said first layer is sufficiently porous to permit ingrowth of cells or cellular processes therewithin and wherein said second layer does not support attachment of tissue thereto. 
     
     
       9. The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said resilient bioabsorbable support member has a thickness sufficient to provide a tactile step. 
     
     
       10. The medical device of  claim 1  wherein said first portion has physical dimensions that are different from said second portion. 
     
     
       11. The medical device of  claim 10  wherein said first portion has a chemical composition different from said second portion. 
     
     
       12. A medical device comprising:
 bioabsorbable resilient support member having a two sides, said bioabsorbable resilient support member comprising a first portion and a second portion and further comprising a block copolymer of polyglycolic acid and trimethylene carbonate; and 
 an implantable non-bioabsorbable device attached to one side of said resilient support member, wherein said resilient support member causes the implantable non-bioabsorbable device to change from a compacted form to a substantially planar configuration and assists in placement of said non-bioabsorbable implantable device during implantation procedures without requisite for an extrinsically applied force and wherein said implantable non-bioabsorbable device comprises a porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material and wherein said first portion has a bioabsorption rate that is different from the second portion.